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Chris Knott Insurance

If your car insurance is due within the next 30 days, please don't forget to give our club sponsors, Chris Knott Insurance, a call. They have just confirmed a record week in terms of the amount of business they have done through the forums so it's certainly worth a call. In 2008, the average recorded saving for their new customers was 15.5% off the BEST quote they'd had!

Please phone them on 0800 917 2274 or 01424 200477 and quote the club name and/or reference number (906 - VECTRA-C)

For further details, please refer to Tim's thread in the Insurance Section. http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73959

(He doesn't do the quotes by the way, there is a specialist team for this!).

Please note that the how2 section can only be accessed when you become a Regular member by participating in the forum for a while. If you need immediate access there is the option to become a 'Full Member' by purchasing a subscription.

Oil change help.

I'm going to try and change the oil + filter sometime this week after putting it off way too long. 13 months since last change, so want it done.
I've read the How2 a dosen times, but its different for each model of Vectra.
Mine is a 52 (2003) SXi 1.8 petrol.
What type of filter is it? and where is it located?
The one on the How2 is located just to the left of the engine on top, but I can't find anything. Is it underneath? Also some people with a 1.8 posted replys saying it wasn't the plastic filter or the metal one, it was a panel or something? a white one?

Also not had a proper look yet, but where abouts is the outlet valve for the oil under the car. Is it directly underneath the engine block? or slightly further back or to left or right?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to do it myself as I've seen a lot of people get ripped off by garages, and it'll be good to know, but I don't want to start it if I can't find something and have the car stranded on my street..

Sorry dan, cant really help, all i can say is the usual locations on Vx cars are these

2.0 Dti right front middle of engine, refill element
2.2 Petrol from Omega is front lower left of engine, so if its the same you should find it to the rear left on a Vectra, and thats a screw on metal one.

For the early cars it should be a steel can filter located down by the drivers side wheel end of the engine.. if it's not there, then it'll be on the front of the engine.

The oil drain will be on the lowest point of the 'sump', which is the bottom tray of the engine. there is no underbody tray or sheild you will have to remove, Just make sure you lift and secure the car safely before you go under it for the 1st time.The wheel change jack is NOT suitable.

My PDF printer is at home..so if anyone can come up with a diagram or 2 for Dan..

I've just taken a picture of what I think is the oil filter... if someonce can verify..?

Its the large light grey can shaped object at front driver side of engine. It has GM and numbers written on it.
Does this unscrew litke a bottle top? or is it just a cover for the filter underneath? If I unscrew it will it pull out the whole filter or is it just a cover.

Also can anyone give me the Part Number for the replacement Oil Filter for this type?

Yeah that looks like it. Halfrauds will have the correct one to replace it with. Just look it up on their book

Oh when you put it on I always find that its worth just putting a bit of oil around the rubber seal on it. Helps protect it.

Another edit LOL

Yes it does just unscrew however you may not beable to do it by hand. be carfull as it will be full of oil so when you remove it turn it so the bit on the engine faces up. saves covering yourself or drive in oil

Does anyone know the oil capacity of the 1.8 SXi (2003) ??
I've checked on the Castrol Website, and it says 4.5L but on the How2 section for the oil change the 2.0 SRI has a capacity of about 5.5-6L
I don't want to overfill the tank so does anyone know? Or know where to find out?

That one just screws off, get a Vx filter it wont be any dearer than an aftermarket one, cheaper even if you can use the trade card.

If you have trouble getting it off, try both from on top and underneath the car, 1st method is to get a marigold on so your hand dont slip, 2nd is to get a proper removal tool, it's a gripping rubber strap, 3rd is to put a longish flat blade screw driver through the case of the filter, but stay as near to the end that has the ridges as you can i.e the end nearest the front of the car not the engine, drive it in one side and out of the other and you can then use the driver as leverage. hth

Right I've got the oil and filter. Thought I'd treat the Vectra to some Castrol Edge 0w-40 at £36.99 for 4L (well I'll be saving money by doing it myself)
(you get a free hat with it too )

Got some engine oil treatment too for when it'd done, and some flush. (doing the whole thing..)

Just one thing. I need to get the sump ring.
Do I just need the little rubber washer? or is it a full screw + bolt set I get. Halfrauds had some sets but no Guide Books to say which car need which..
The How2 section says :
O-ring for drain plug - V0003536966
Is this a universal one for all Vectra Cs? or is it just for 2.0 SRI?

Thats the last question I promise. Going to do it on Saturday if it doesn't rain.